L-R: Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka, Senator Joyce Korir,Migori Senator Eddy Oketch, Migori Governor Dr Ochillo Ayacko and his Deputy Dr Joseph Mahiri during the Senate Finance committee visit to the county state house. Photo KTMN.
Governor Ochilo Ayacko is facing mounting pressure from both the Senate Finance Committee and Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) over the sharp increase in pending bills, alleged mismanagement of county funds, and stalled development projects.
During a heated session, Senator Richard Onyonka of Kisii led calls for urgent accountability, questioning how the county government could justify the ballooning debt.
The situation has sparked outrage among local leaders, who accuse the executive of abetting underdevelopment and unfair resource distribution.
MCAs Olima Obonyo (North Kadem) and Peter Mijungu (East Kanyamkago) took a firm stand against the governor, alleging that public funds are being siphoned through ghost projects and inflated bills.
“This is blatant theft of public funds through ghostly and questionable deals,” said Olima Obonyo, who has vowed to present crucial evidence to the Senate Finance Committee to expose financial irregularities within the executive.
The MCA further claimed that leaders pushing for accountability have faced intimidation, threats, and even physical attacks at the county assembly premises.
“The governor is always on our necks. On several occasions, we have faced reprisals whenever we demand accountability,” Obonyo revealed in an exclusive interview with KTMN-NEWS.
His concerns were echoed by MCA Peter Mijungu, who recounted how outspoken MCAs were hounded out of House Committees for questioning county expenditure.
“We are targeted and labelled as rebels simply for speaking on behalf of the people. When we ask about stalled projects, unpaid contractors, and pending bills, we are removed from the assembly over so-called misconduct. How then can we hold the executive accountable?” Mijungu asked.
The development comes even as the highly anticipated State of the County Address, which Governor Ayacko was expected to deliver, was postponed indefinitely.
The cancellation was announced via the county’s official social media platforms, with the governor’s communication team promising to provide a new date in subsequent memos.
The controversy comes ahead of a Senate Finance Committee visit to Migori County on Monday, aimed at probing the alleged misappropriation of funds and investigating the rising pending bills.
The Migori County Government has yet to issue an official response to the allegations.